Treatment for Gum Disease in Downtown Edmonton

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection that could possibly damage your teeth permanently if not treated in time. Gum disease has stages of severity and is best treated during the early stages as the bacteria causes harm to the gums and bones that can irreparably damage your teeth. Early diagnosis is the key to treatment and frequent checkups assure your gums’ optimal health.

Gum disease has two main types of stages:

Gingivitis is the earliest stage and mildest form of periodontal disease. During this stage, gums tend to swell or bleed during normal activities such as brushing or flossing teeth. At this stage, a non-surgical method is used as the root surface of your tooth will be cleaned and any plaque or unwanted build-up will be removed to eliminate harmful bacteria.

Periodontitis is the advanced stage of gum disease and will likely require gum surgery due to the damage severity of surrounding tissue. Surgery options include pocket reduction procedures, soft tissue grafts, and others that your dentist will discuss with you during a consultation appointment.

Symptoms of gum disease to watch out for are:

• Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing
• Increased space between teeth
• Teeth appearing to be longer due to receding gums
• Swollen gums
• Tender gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Sores inside mouth

Uncontrolled periodontal disease is a common cause of tooth loss in adults. In its early stages, gum disease is very hard to see. You may not know that you have a problem. But every time you have a dental exam at our downtown Edmonton clinic, our dentists look for signs of gum disease.

Your dentist may use a dental tool called a “periodontal probe” to measure where your gums attach to your teeth. Healthy gums attach to teeth just below the edge of the gum. If your gums attach to your teeth below this point, it is a sign of gum disease.

X-rays show how much bone is around your teeth. If you have gum disease, getting rid of plaque and tartar gives your gums a chance to get better. That’s why in the early stages of gum disease, the best treatment is cleaning by your dentist or dental hygienist to remove built-up tartar, brushing twice a day to remove plaque and flossing once a day to remove plaque.

A key factor in this dental condition’s treatment is how early you were diagnosed and how fast the gum disease has advanced. If you are experiencing any of the above listed symptoms or want to consult with a dentist about periodontal issues, call Magathan Dental or visit our centre in downtown Edmonton. We’re here to answer your questions and keep your mind at ease!